Study Smarter Not Harder

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Transcript of Study Smarter Not Harder

Study Smarter Not Harder: Note Taking and Study TechniquesProfessor Lisa smithCollege writing But I'm terrible at note taking...You're not alone! And sometimes it's difficult to figure out when to take notes and when you shouldn't.

So when in doubt, ask the professor! Not only will you be clear about what is note worthy and what isn't, the rest of the class will ALSO be clear!Here are two basic tips on note taking:Use bullet points; avoid writing full sentences, especially if you're not a fast writerIf the professor is writing something on the black/dry erase board, WRITE IT DOWN! It's important! Professors aren't writing on the board for their own amusement!Q. Is there only one way to take notes?

A. Of course not! everyone doesn't work at the same speed. different methods work for different people. let's explore one method called the cornell note-taking system developed in the 1950s by walter pauk, an education professor at cornell univeristy...Q. Is that the only method for note taking?

Now let's move on to reading comprehension techniques...Q. Is there a system out there to help me better understand what I'm reading?

A. Yes, there are plenty of reading comprehension techniques. Let's review one technique called the SQR3 Reading Method developed in 1946 by Francis Pleasant Robinson...oH, AND BY THE WAY, YOU GOT AN iPHONE? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT...Now that you have some tools on how to record important information, let's move on to how you can study and record all that information into your memory for later recall...Tip #1: ask the instructor what to anticipate on the test.Tip #2: begin reviewing early and preferably every day!tip #3: pay attention to any study guides/handouts from instructor.tip #4: review with a group from your classtip #5: create flashcards for definitions, formulas - put topics on one side, answers on the other.tip #6 - review previous tests.tip #7 - pay attention to clues, e.g., when an instructor says something more than once, asks questions of the class, or says "this will be on the test!"Q. Ok, following all those tips is fine and dandy, but how do I get all that information to stick?

A. You can do this via two ways: following tip #2 and do what cognitive psychologists call "chunking" information into small pieces for better retention. It takes time to transfer what is stored in short term memory to long term. there are a host of techniques to use to chunk information: mnemonic, mapping, etc. but let's review one called "linking",,,